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Diabetes and Children

Do you notice your child going to the potty more often than usual? Is he always so hungry and thirsty but still lose weight? Is he always tired and irritable? Does he complain of having a blurry vision?

If your answer is yes to more than one of these questions, then your child might have type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. It is typically found in children to young adults. This is a condition in which the pancreas produces very little insulin or none at all, making a person dependent on insulin injections. This type of diabetes cannot be cured as of yet, but can be treated.

There are more chances for your child to have type 1 diabetes if there is someone in your family history also has it. Other risk factors include the following:

If you had pre-eclampsia (hypertension increase caused by pregnancy) during your pregnancy.

If you gave milk formula to your child during the first 6-8 months.

If you are Northern European or Mediterranean.

If your child shows some of these symptoms, it’s best to take him to a doctor for a check-up. Make sure what type of diabetes your child has from the doctor, and ask questions about what to do with your child’s diet.

These symptoms, though they might be just shrugged off as typical for growing children, should not be ignored. Type 1 diabetes has complications that, when left untreated, may increase your child’s risk in being blind, and having heart, kidney, or nerve damage.